The Bone in My Mother's Back

I slouch but not towards Bethlehem

                                    Avoid every crack, Jonathan

My grandmother had such spine

                                    Don’t worry so much, says Fluvoxamine

My mother started on Tymlos

                                    A body needs to be straight

A son does not have to be

                                    Straighten yourself, Jonathan

It’s hard to see my mother hunched

                                    I reach down when she can’t

It hurts, Jonathan, it hurts

                                    If only I could carry her

He’ll never give us more than we can bear

                                    I remember the priest’s rigid posture

Did Jesus ever fix a back?

                                    And the Lord said, “Now get up….”

He rose on the third day, so they claim

                                    Tymlos will take months to work

Son of man, can these bones live?

                                    Son, will you pray with me?

If you think it’ll help your back

                                    Rebuild, Mom, rebuild